Selecting a Storage Space

Self storage is a convenient, safe, and inexpensive way to store your belongings. Ask the storage consultant to help you choose a space that fits your needs, because rental of a storage space is determined by the total size of the items being stored. An efficiently-packed small space will cost less than a larger space. If you frequently use the space, a larger space, well organized (racks and file boxes), may be more convenient.

Storage Space Rental Agreement

For your protection, a storage facility provides a written agreement. Read it thoroughly and ask the storage consultant to answer your questions. Make note of your payment date to see if the agreement covers prorated rental periods. Also, find out how and when your security deposit is refunded or forfeited upon termination of the agreement. If you change your address or phone number, be sure to notify the storage facility in writing.

Insure Your Goods in Storage

The goods you place in self storage spaces are the sole responsibility of you, their owner. Goods are not insured by the storage facility. Your storage consultant may be able to give you the names of insurers who provide low-cost insurance coverage for your goods. If a policy is not included in your storage information packet, just ask.

Prohibited Storage Goods

Common sense and state laws determine what may be stored. You alone control access to your storage space; therefore, never store live animals, perishables, liquids, explosives, flammable liquids and fuels, toxic materials, or other items that need a controlled environment. Remember to drain the fuel from gasoline engines before storage.

Helpful Storage Tips

Inspect your storage space. The space should be clean with a door in good working order.

Determine the packing accessories you need: paper, bubble-pack, tape, rope, drop cloths, polyurethane sheeting, furniture covers, pallets, skids, dehumidifiers, file boxes, and storage cartons. Some or all of these items may be available for purchase in the rental office.

Fill containers to capacity. Partially full or bulging cartons may tip or collapse. Protect your fragile goods with packing and place them near the top of your storage space.

Label boxes. Keep a list of labeled boxes at your home or office for easy reference when you need to locate your goods.

Pack the storage space carefully. Leave air space around the perimeter to aid ventilation. Place a pallet on concrete floors and do not lean items against walls. Leave a walkway to the rear of your space for easy access. Use all the space available, including the height, and place frequently used goods near the door.

Specific Storage Tips

Appliances: A refrigerator or freezer should be thoroughly dry and stored with its door slightly ajar. Some goods can be stored inside large appliances, and boxes can be stacked on top of stoves, refrigerators, and freezers. Make sure that stoves and cooking equipment are cleaned before they are stored.

Bicycles and other metal items: To retard rust, wipe all metal surfaces with a rag containing a few drops of machine oil.

Books and documents: Pack books flat to protect their spines. Do not place boxes directly on concrete floors, but use pallets or skids to prevent moisture absorption. Use packing to fill out empty pockets in the boxes. Do not pack fragile items in the same box with books, and do not overload.

Bedding, clothing, curtains, drapes, and linens: Clothing, curtains, and drapes should be stored on hangers. If hanging cartons are not available, such items should be carefully folded and stored in dresser drawers or cedar chests along with bedding and linens. Some facilities sell wardrobe-style cardboard cartons, which help protect your clothes. Food crumbs or stains should be removed before storage, and avoid storing anything that may attract pests.

Dishes and glassware: Place a layer of packing inside the bottom and at the top of boxes containing glassware. All glass items should be individually wrapped; nest cups and bowls, and stand plates, saucers, and platters on edge. Wrapped glasses should be placed near the top of cartons. Again, fill all pockets with packing. Label all boxes containing glassware, and do not place heavy items on boxes containing glassware.

Electrical equipment: All equipment should be thoroughly cleaned and dry before it is stored. Any equipment with sealing doors, such as a refrigerator, should be stored with its door slightly ajar.

Fragile items: Place a layer of packing inside the bottom and at the top of boxes containing fragile items. All items should be individually wrapped placing the most fragile near the top of the cartons. Again, fill all pockets with packing. When stacking boxes that contain delicate items, place these on top of those containing heavy items. Label all boxes containing delicate items “FRAGILE”.

Furniture: Place a pallet, corrugated cardboard mat, or plastic sheet on the floor, and stand sofas and mattresses on end. Disassemble beds, tables, and other furniture and wrap table legs in paper. If furniture, such as a table, will not disassemble, place padding on the floor and place the table on its top with the legs pointing up. Use dresser tops for stacking cartons and dresser drawers for linens or small, delicate items. Keep upholstery off the floor. Most lightweight chairs can be stacked “seat to seat” or placed upside down on tables which cannot be disassembled. Finally, place a light cotton dust cover (e.g., a bedsheet) on your furniture. Some facilities sell covers for your convenience.

Holiday decorations: Save the original cartons that contained delicate ornaments and pad the ornaments with packing paper or news print. Wrap strings of lights around a piece of cardboard before placing in a carton lined with packing paper.

Lamps: Wrap large lamp bases in padding, wrap smaller lamps and place them in boxes, and pack delicate lamp shades separately. Do not use newsprint to wrap lamp shades or any other goods that may be damaged by ink stains. Do not store heavy items on cartons containing lamps or lamp shades.

Metal equipment, tools, and other metal items: All equipment needs to be clean. To retard rust, wipe all metal surfaces with a rag containing a few drops of machine oil.

Mirrors, windows, and screens: These items should be stored on edge, not flat.

Records and phonographs: Records should be stored on edge to prevent warping. When moving a record player, the tone arm and turntable should be secured to prevent damage.

Tools: Metal tools should be cleaned and wiped with a rag containing a few drops of machine oil to retard rust. Long handled tools such as rakes, shovels, and hoes should be cleaned, lightly oiled, and tied in bundles.